Lzh Mu Bi Pm Sk 77Na nadyāḥ pratisrotaḥ pātrodakaṁ grahīṣyāma

Exposition of the Na nadyāḥ pratisrotaḥ pātrodakaṁ grahīṣyāma Sutra

Background

This sutra belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Early Buddhist tradition, where the rules of training and the management of the Sangha’s communal goods are recorded. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not a set of strict rules imposed from outside, but principles born from specific situations in the life of the Sangha, composed by the Buddha to protect purity, concentration, and the development of the Buddhist community.

The sutra speaks about the use of water, something that seems ordinary but carries deep meaning in practice. The Sanskrit title “Na nadyāḥ pratisrotaḥ pātrodakaṁ grahīṣyāma” may be translated “We shall not take bowl-water against the current of the river,” or as relating to drawing water from containers under certain conditions.

Main Content

The content of this sutra in the Vinaya Piṭaka concerns regulations on the use of clean water (udaka) in the daily life of monks and nuns. This is part of the principles of the “pātimokkha,” the basic rules that bhikkhus must observe.

Specifically, the sutra refers to situations of taking water for drinking or using water in daily tasks, warning of things to avoid in order to protect the lives of tiny beings living in the water (sattva). According to the Buddha Dharma, killing any living being, whether large or small, violates the principle of non-killing (ahiṁsā).

This regulation arises from the Buddha’s deep compassion. When taking water, especially from natural sources, a bhikkhu must be careful not to harm aquatic beings. If using water from a bucket or container, one must observe carefully to avoid inhaling or swallowing microorganisms. Records in the Vinaya Piṭaka show that many earlier members of the Sangha were once inattentive and caused harm, leading the Buddha to lay down clear regulations.